Mimaki Australia has announced a new free ink cartridge recycling program in partnership with Close the Loop, a leader in sustainable solutions. This initiative reinforces Mimaki’s commitment to reducing waste and promoting a circular economy in the printing industry.
One example of Close the Loop's recycling of print waste is the addition of TonerPlas to asphalt, which also improves the durabilitry and mechanical properties of the road surface.
Close the Loop has been operating printer consumable product stewardship programs since 2000 and is now the largest recycler of print consumables globally. The company has successfully repurposed over 26,000 tonnes of printer consumables in Australia. Its TonerPlas product, combining plastics and used toner with Asphalt, is already found in Australian road surfaces and has been found to extend road life, improve mechanical properties of asphalt and reduce 'rutting.'
Toner powder collected from cartridges is transformed into TonerPlas, an asphalt additive that enhances road performance and durability while reducing the carbon footprint. Close the Loop also creates other sustainable products from recycled materials, all while adhering to a strict Zero Waste to Landfill policy.
Several ink and toner manufacturers partake in Close The Loop's programmes but now, with Mimaki Australia joining in, customers using Mimaki genuine ink can recycle used ink cartridges, ink bottles, and ink tanks for 3D printers, all free of charge, knowing they will not end up in landfill.
Mimaki is also taking further steps to reduce plastic waste. In 2023, the company introduced paper-based ink cartridges in Japan, with a global rollout beginning in 2024. This transition has led to a 68% reduction in plastic usage per cartridge, underscoring Mimaki’s commitment to sustainability.
A Mimaki Australia spokesperson says.“As a company, we believe it is our responsibility to provide the cleanest and most sustainable products available today."
For details on how to participate in Mimaki's Close The Loop program, visit https://www.closetheloop.com.au/cartridge-collection-program/
